If you saw her in the street, you’d think Victoria Abotorabi was just a hard-working, happy mum.

A successful recruitment consultant from Leeds — you’d never be able to tell that Victoria was in so much pain she thought she was dying.

But this was Victoria’s reality for months, with the 50-year-old even going as far as penning goodbye letters to her two young daughters Yasmine, 15, and Erin, 10.

Behind closed doors, she was battling seriously debilitating medical issues and doctors couldn’t seem to figure out what was wrong with her.

Now, after finally discovering the truth about her health, Victoria is sharing her story to try and make sure no-one else has to suffer the way she has.

It all started when she began experiencing ‘a dull pain in [her] left ear,’ she shared.

‘I thought it was just an ear infection. The doctor gave me some antibiotics and steroids and told me to take them for three weeks.’

Victoria was put on ciprofloxacin — a drug within a group of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones that are often used to treat bacterial infections.

She considered it a job done. However, just five days into taking the prescription, Victoria woke up in the middle of the night with heart palpitations, numbness in her hands, and an intense pressure in her head.

The mum-of-two immediately sought medical attention. But she was turned away by her doctor, who told her that the symptoms were linked to the ear infection and advised to continue taking the medication.

This marked the beginning of a five-month-long journey, that saw her develop a piercing headache that wouldn’t go away, alongside other crippling symptoms.

‘It was awful. I couldn’t even lie my head onto the pillow,’ Victoria recalls.

‘I went on lots of different medications but nothing was working. I had body twitches, muscle spasms, my digestive system shut off, I lost so much weight, I had facial nerve pain.’

‘I was in so much pain I spent days just crying, it was horrific. Medical professionals just kept saying I was anxious and stressed,’ she continued.

‘Nobody knew what was going on, I kept going back to A&E. I thought I was dying, I felt so incredibly poorly.’

It was at this point that she made the deeply difficult decision to write her two children goodbye letters.

‘I wrote letters to my kids saying goodbye, because I thought the doctors had missed something really bad. I thought I was either going to die or I wanted to die. I just couldn’t deal with the pain anymore. It was absolutely unbearable.’

It wasn’t until Victoria’s seventh visit to A&E in November 2024 that a discovery was finally made and Victoria learned the truth about what was going on.

During her appointment, the mum was asked about her recent medication, which ultimately led to the realisation that she’d suffered an adverse reaction to ciprofloxacin.

While it is rare, according to the NHS, in some cases fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause disabling, long-lasting or permanent side effects affecting the joints, muscles and nervous system.

It cost Victoria £6,000 in private appointment fees to finally reach her diagnosis.

‘There is no cure for this,’ Victoria explains. ‘It’s just whether your body can recover.’

‘If I’d have known, I’d have never taken it. It shouldn’t be given out as a first-line antibiotic. It should be that they’ve tried everything else.’

‘It’s a horrible drug, it’s not worth the risk of taking. It’s not worth the long-term damage.’

As Victoria says, currently ‘there are no pharmacological treatments established to be effective for these disabling and potentially long-lasting or irreversible side effects.’

Government advice actually states that medical professional should not prescribe fluoroquinolones ‘for non-severe or self-limiting infections, or for mild to moderate infections unless other antibiotics that are commonly recommended for these infections are considered inappropriate.’

Understandably, Victoria feels incredibly ‘let down’ by the health service — an industry she previously had ‘complete faith in.’

Shockingly, there are a number of personal testimonies online regarding the debilitating and serious side effects of Ciproflacacin antibiotics.

Reportedly, serious side effects are estimated to occur in at least between 1 and 10 people in every 10,000 who take a fluoroquinolone.

Someone who can relate to Victoria is Nazir Khan — who shared their story on the Mayo Clinic blog forum, stating that after taking this medication for just five days in 2017 for a UTI, their quality of life has been ‘steadily deteriorating.’

‘Over the past seven years, my condition has worsened to the point where I can barely walk, and I will soon need a wheelchair. The best way to describe my current condition is that the soles of my feet are completely numb, with a constant sensation of poor blood circulation, tingling, and severe pain,’ the post read.

For Victoria, her focus is trying to move forward and cope the best way that she can.

‘Looking back to where I was to where I am now, I’ve come a long way. Life is hard still but better than when it was,’ she adds.

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Real talk – not everyone has the chance to see a dermatologist to address their skin concerns. 

The waiting lists are endless, the appointment fees make your eyes water, and even when you finally get in, there’s no guarantee they can solve your skin woes. 

But the skin experts at Renew + Me are tackling this issue head on with personalised skincare built by dermatology experts – minus the waiting list and the stress. 

The team behind the trusted brand Skin + Me has created prescription-strength formulas specifically for ageing skin but has made them accessible, creating your bespoke skincare solutions delivered to your door.

Renew + Me Nightly-Active-Cream

Renew + Me's standout product is the Nightly-Active-Cream – a potent, bespoke night treatment packed full of prescription-grade actives like retinoids, plus supportive ingredients such as niacinamide, peptides and azelaic acid. They’re clinically proven ingredients in the exact strengths your skin needs. Use code SKINGLOWMETRO at checkout to claim your first month for just £6.99.

shop £6.99 (save 77%)

How, we hear you ask? Well, the process is simple. You upload a few photos of your face, answer some questions about what’s bothering you, and their dermatology panel gets to work. 

From this you get a tailor-made treatment designed around your skin’s current needs.

And here’s the cherry on top: Metro readers can use the discount code SKINGLOWMETRO at checkout to grab their first month for just £6.99 – a whopping saving of 77%.

The cream comes in a clever Daily Doser which dispenses exactly the right amount every night. You don’t have to worry about overdoing it or wasting product. And when the month is up? Your next personalised box lands through your letterbox. Easy.

If your skin changes, just let the team know. Want a stronger dose? Trying to tackle a new concern? They’ll adjust your formula based on your feedback – like having your own personal dermatologist in your pocket.

People are already raving about their results, too. Some report smoother, brighter, calmer skin in as little as twelve weeks, while one reviewer said their skin was ‘glowing’ after just three weeks.

‘I have been using this for 3 weeks now and have no side effects, and my skin is glowing,’ raved the impressed reviewer. ‘Hoping after using it for a further month or 2 my acne pigmentation will start to reduce.’

There’s also the Serum-in-a-Cream, a personalised moisturising treatment for night-time that works on your face, neck and décolletage. 

So, if you’re done faffing about with half-effective serums and endless dermatologist delays – this feels like the shortcut your skin’s been begging for.

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It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but apparently my face didn’t get the memo.

That arctic chill in the air is wreaking havoc on my skin, leaving me looking paler than ever (impressive as I was already giving Casper a run for his money), with chapped lips and dry patches. 

To make matters worse, my hair is constantly being whipped about by the wind and all of my cosy clothes feel drab and unflattering. I miss my summer dresses and sparkly sandals something chronic. 

To sum up: I’ve got a serious case of the winter uglies, and it seems I’m not the only one. 

What are the winter uglies? 

The ‘winter uglies’ is a term that women have coined online and it’s all to do with the way the gloomy winter months can leave you feeling like you’ve lost your spark, both physically and mentally.

The dark nights and cold weather cause many of us to become a bit of a hermit, staying home, bundling up in Oodies and PJs, forgoing our usual skincare routines and workouts, in favour of binge watching Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time in bed. 

Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing any of that, but for some, it can take a bit of a toll on the way they look and feel. 

On Reddit and TikTok, many have shared how they experience everything from break outs and irritation on their cheeks and nose, to frizzy hair, weight gain and watering eyes when they’re ‘trapped in the trenches of the winter uglies’.

All of this combined with the winter blues can make for some pretty low periods.

Sana Khwaja, a BACP-accredited therapist at BetterHelp, says: ‘It’s not surprising to me that a term like “winter uglies” has emerged, as this time of year many will notice thier mood dipping and it’s common to experience a winter slump.’

The expert explains that a big reason for this is because of the lack of sunlight and vitamin D, as this can cause a drop in our serotonin levels, which is a mood-stabilising hormone.

As a result you might find yourself feeling sad, and your sleep can be impacted by this too, leaving you more sluggish, unmotivated andpotentially less confident in how you look.

‘It’s not all in your head – there’s a real biological and psychological compontent,’ Sana assures.

Therapist Danny Greaves previously told Metro, that November and December can also create real ‘challenges’ as people reflect on missed achievements, goals and opportunities from the past year and feel a real sense of loss.

And some will also experience seasonal affective disorder, a clinical form of depression, that can be ‘quite severe’.

So, what can you do to combat this?

We’re sorry to say there’s no magic wand you can wave to deal with all this, but there are plenty of things you can try to feel a bit better in yourself.

For your mental health, if you’re really struggling, the best thing you can do is talk to someone. Consider trying therapy, or reaching out to trusted loved ones for some emotional support.

And Sana says it’s crucial when you’re down to get outside and get your body moving.

She advises: ‘Maintaining gentle routines like exercise or creative activities can also help to mask the negative thoughts related to our appearance and serve as a distraction. Every small step per day can improve mood and confidence, helping you feel more like yourself despite the darker, colder months.

‘And one tip that will never fail is making sure to get outside to capture even brief moments of daylight.’

Focusing on your sleep hygiene (by implementing a consistent routine) and eating well are also really important when you’re not feeling your best.

And social interaction can make a real difference to your wellbeing too – perhaps you can meet up with friends or family members for a walk or coffee, take part in activities you both enjoy, or even just have a catch-up over the phone to help you feel less lonely.

Get your skin glowing again

If it’s dry, irritated skin you’re struggling with amid the cold weather, Dr. Derrick Phillips, a CeraVe consultant dermatologist says there are several things in your home that might be contributing to the issue.

The expert tells Metro: ‘Several factors contribute to the way our skin behaves in colder weather, leading to the sensation of dryness and tightness. The combination of colder temperatures outside and the use of convection heating system indoors, leads to a reduction in air humidity which has a drying effect on the skin.’

He continues to say that taking too many hot showers could also be doing more harm than good, as the heat ‘strips away essential oils from the outer layer of the skin’. 

But don’t panic, you don’t suddenly need to switch to cold plunges, just consider turning the temperature down a little so it’s warm instead of scalding, or simply reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower, staying in just as long as you need.

Many of us also experience reduced sebum production during winter, which can lead to a ‘compromised skin barrier’. This loss of moisture causes dryness, irritation and a feeling of tightness.

‘A healthy skin barrier is essential for retaining moisture and protecting against external irritants,’ Dr. Phillips says.

As such, he recommends switching out some of your regular skincare products at this time of year, ditching gel or foaming cleansers for a ‘more hydrating and nourishing’ balm or cream cleanser. 

‘It’s also useful to consider transitioning from a lightweight moisturiser to a heavier, more emollient formula,’ he suggests. ‘Look for ingredients like ceramides and essential oils to lock in moisture and prevent water loss.’

And Dr. Phillips warns against exfoliating too much, as this can cause dryness and sensitivity. Instead try exfoliating once a week, or as needed.

The girlies of the internet have you covered as well, as they’ve been sharing their top tips for clawing your way out of the depths of winter uglies so you can feel like the bad b***h you are once more.

On Reddit, u/squeakyfromage shared what they do when they’re struggling, writing: ‘Took a bath with bath oil, let a hair mask sit for an hour then coaed myself with dry oil and moisturiser in an attempt to feel more human.’

Similarly, u/Wonderful-Frosting17 said: ‘Spray tans, tan extenders, and red light therapy are my best friends for winter. I stay glowing.’

And TikToker @lvblackwell agreed that applying fake tan is what makes all the difference for her.

Others suggested starting with actions that will get ‘quick results you can see and feel’, such as treating yourself to a blowout, a mani/pedi or eyebrow threading.

And when it comes to your make-up, many recommended using products like Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream, sparkly eyeshadows, non-drying concealers and glowy or hydrating products instead of matte ones.

Finding things that bring you joy more generally might also help boost your mood. This could be trying new hobbies, dopamine dressing, going out to a place you love or seeing your friends.

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Winter is officially here, and if you’ve been looking to achieve that perfect bronzed, been-in-the-sun-all-day glow despite the cold weather then Coco & Eve has you covered.

The brand, which is known and loved for their haircare, bodycare and fake tan essentials, has slashed the prices of a huge array of best-sellers by up to 30% in their Black Friday sale.

The catch, of course, is that these deals won’t be sticking around for long, so whether you’ve been after an iconic tanning product or want to try out Coco & Eve’s much-loved shampoo and conditioner for less, you’ll have to act fast.

The unmissable sale will see the brand’s Like A Virgin Shampoo and Conditioner Kit, Hair Masque, Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam and multi-purpose Tan Boosting Anti-Ageing Body Oil all reduced by a whopping 30%. 

Whether you’re stocking up on your own supplies, looking to trial new products you’ve yet to sample from the brand, or treat a loved one to a bundle of beauty buys this Christmas, the Coco & Eve sale has the answer. 

Need a shopping hand? We’ve whittled down our personal favourites in the Coco & Eve sale below. 

Coco & Eve Black Friday sale 2025 – top picks

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam

This best-selling tanner boasts a lightweight mousse texture that absorbs into the skin effortlessly without leaving any tacky residue. It has been formulated with raw virgin coconuts, botanicals and amino acid, which hydrate the skin and even pigmentation, while natural DHA provides the bronzed finish. This cruelty free and vegan formula can be washed off after two hours to reveal a sunkissed glow.

shop £18.20 (save £7.80)

Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Shampoo & Conditioner Kit

If you need to give your dry and damaged hair a hefty dose of hydration, this is the gentle yet nourishing bundle to invest in. The shampoo has been formulated with coconut-based surfactants, fruit enzymes and hyaluronic acid complex that work to cleanse the hair and scalp of dirt and impurities, as well as hydrate your hair without drying out your locks. The conditioner works to soften your tresses as it is also infused with coconut and avocado oil, as well as a hyaluronic acid complex. It’s the perfect pairing you will rely on daily for clean, silky sift and nourished tresses.

shop £25.20 save £10.80)

Coco & Eve Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist

Fake the summer glow in winter with this easy to use fake tan that is sensitive enough to apply on the face. This tanning mist doubles as a fake tan and skincare solution as it boasts an antioxidant complex and a hyaluronic blend which combine to hydrate the skin, boost collagen production and leave your skin glowing.

shop £18.20 (save £7.80)

Coco & Eve Tan Boosting Anti-Aging Body Oil SPF30

This multi-functional skincare product is one you never knew you needed, but will never be without. This lightweight oil not only hydrates the skin, plumps and combats the signs of ageing, but it also provides UV protection when out in the sunshine. It also accelerates your tan, so you can be out in the sunshine for less time.

shop £19.60 (save £8.40)

Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Hair Masque

While we love the shampoo and conditioner set mentioned above, sometimes your hair needs a little extra TLC, which this delivers. The mask can be applied on damp or dry hair and left to marinate for a few hours before you wash it out. This will target those dry and brittle ends, hydrate your locks and boost your hair's shine.

shop £21 (save £9)

Coco and Eve Clarifying Detox Shampoo

Ever find your hair feels sore and tender when it hasn’t been washed or it’s been scraped back for days? The Clarifying Detox Shampoo can help. This formula contains 3D chelating technology, which works to remove heavy metals carried in hard water, as well as dirt, grime and sebum from your hair. While this shampoo cleanses your hair, it also protects against environmental aggressors too. Your hair will feel ultra clean and silky soft after use.

shop £16.10 (save £6.90)

Winter never looked so bronzed and glowy…

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When Jane Haley took a course of antibiotics for her strep throat in June, she quickly started feeling back to her normal self.

The 41-year-old had no idea that, just two months later on August 24, she would be rushed to hospital in an ambulance where doctors would diagnose her with Toxic Shock Syndrome – a rare form of sepsis.

Ultimately, doctors would have to amputate all four of her limbs to save her life from the tissue damage, and keep her from multi-organ failure.

Pictures reveal the severe damage to her legs and arms from the Group A Streptococcus infection which spiralled out of control, as Jane thinks back to how her journey started.

‘In June I took a full course of antibiotics for seven to 10 days and I was feeling better by then,’ Jane, an accountant, recalls.

‘Towards the end of August I started to have pain in my jaw and cheek and then in the left side of my neck. I thought it was just my glands swelling up to take care of an infection or whatever was happening in my jaw.’

But after calling a medical advice helpline and explaining her symptoms, Jane, from Grande Prairie, Alberta, was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

‘That was the last thing I remember,’ she says. ‘One minute I was fine and the next minute I wasn’t fine and I was rushed to ICU.’

Her blood pressure and heart rate dramatically dropped and she was placed into a medically induced coma, which allowed doctors to diagnose her with Group A Streptococcus, which had progressed into Toxic Shock Syndrome.

As her condition worsened, her hands and feet began to go black from the tissue damage, and doctors told her she would lose all four limbs – a sad reality for Jane, who loved sports.

She had always been drawn to the outdoors and adventure, often hiking, rollerblading and paddleboarding, but now she can’t partake in any of the activities she loves.

‘It was either save my life or save my limbs and the doctors chose to save my life,’ she explains. ‘I’m happy that they made this decision as I’m still here to talk about it today.’

That doesn’t mean it was easy for Jane to come to terms with, though. ‘It was devastating at the time to see my hands,’ she adds. ‘My feet hadn’t changed colour at the time so I had a bit of hope that I would still walk.

‘It took only two weeks for my hands to look how they looked in the photos, it happened rapidly.’

Just over a month after arriving at hospital, on September 29, Jane was airlifted to a second hospital, where she underwent her double hand amputation on October 1.

A week-and-a-half later she had her legs amputated below the knee, and then went in for a third surgery a week later to restore the nerve connections to her muscles.

‘I was desperate to go [for the amputation] as by the time this came around I was in so much pain,’ Jane says.

‘It was disgusting that the bottom of my foot was black and it looked almost like an insole. The dead skin was separating from the old skin, the pain was constant.

‘It started out as a little crater [on my foot] and this got bigger and bigger [until the dead skin] could flap at me when I flexed my foot. It was so extremely painful that I thought anything had to be better than this. I was ready to go and get this amputated.’

Now, Jane is in a rehabilitation facility in Edmonton to begin her long road to recovery where she will receive physical and mental health therapy.

In the future, with the help of prosthetics, she hopes to drive, run and swim again, but sadly says her days of climbing mountains are over.

To help with her recovery, a family member has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her rehabilitation expenses.

Jane is now raising awareness of how serious her infection turned out to be as she claims it ‘could have happened to anyone’.

‘All I’m doing now is I’m in survival mode and I’m looking forward [to my future],’ she admits. ‘I’m happy to be living each day and approaching things that people take for granted every day.

‘I’ve had several moments where I’ve broken down but I think for the most part I am a strong person. I don’t like to look back and say “what if?”

‘If I put myself in this mindset it brings down my whole day.’

Jane thinks most people aren’t aware of Strep and how ‘scary’ septic shock is.

‘This could have happened to anyone and it’s a silent killer. It’s a miracle I was on the way to the hospital, as this could have happened at home,’ she adds.

‘I want people to be more aware of what this is and how serious it can be. If this reaches out to people and even saves just one life, it’s worth it.’

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Black Friday is almost upon us (and in fact, in several instances, already is). With it comes the prospect of buying more for less – at a time of year when we’re all gearing up for the Big Christmas Spend.

It’s understandable that we are going to find many a tempting deal.

But I, among many others, have learnt that buyer’s remorse is a dreadful thing – so before you get carried away by the ‘best deals ever’, pause a moment.

Take the time to consider the rules of engagement, so you can bask in the warmth of a bargain while safely avoiding the dangers of overspending,

Rule 1: shop with intent

The easiest way to overspend, or buy things you really don’t want or need, is to doomscroll for deals. This is where you’ll endlessly browse through offer after offer on websites, without any real idea of what you’re after.

It’s easy to do, and I’ve been guilty of this myself in the past. But there’s a way to avoid it: shop with intent.

This simply means only going to shops or websites for the item you already know you want. To do this you’ll need to do a little planning.

I tend to make a list in my phone’s notes when anything comes up that 
I think I need and use this as the basis for a little research.

You can think a little outside the box here, too. Black Friday isn’t just a time to buy gifts or white goods. In years gone by I’ve got low prices on cinema memberships, craft beer, flights, gig tickets, restaurants and broadband. Think too about everyday purchases, especially cosmetics and groceries that you can stock up on if you find decent prices – this is where I tend to do a lot of my Black Friday spending.

Rule 2: benchmark

Sadly, just writing down that you need a new coat or air fryer isn’t going to help you shop with intent. Ideally you want to know the make and model 
you want and then get a rough idea of what a good price is.

I use price history websites to get an idea of both the going price and the lowest price. These benchmarks help sort the good from the bad when the deals start flying around.

This really is key to getting a bargain and avoiding temptation based on the size of the discount. Instead you can focus on the selling price itself.

For Amazon, use the website
uk.camelcamelcamel.com, while PriceSpy is your best bet for other retailers, such as Argos and Currys.

Rule 3: only spend what you can afford

If you follow my advice so far then you’ll hopefully avoid impulse spending (one of the big ways to overspend), but it’s still very easy to break your budget, especially with Christmas pressures.

But going into the red on your current account, relying on Buy Now, Pay Later or deferring payment via credit cards on non-essentials will just cause you problems in the new year.

So work out before you start shopping exactly how much money you have available to spend – and stick to that limit.

I’d also keep a bit of a buffer available if you can, for any surprise offers you hadn’t anticipated, but are things you want and need, such as the aforementioned everyday groceries and services.

Rule 4: find extra cash

Rather than borrow, you’ve still got time before the sales begin to boost your coffers, or at least set in motion some extra cash arriving to offset your spending.

Bank switches are one way to get free money, with a number of banks offering around £200 right now 
(find all the latest offers at 
becleverwithyourcash.com/banks).

Check any old accounts that could have a balance you can cash in, from loyalty schemes such as Nectar and Clubcard, through to cashback sites such as Quidco and TopCashback.

You should also check old utility providers, particularly energy firms, who could be sitting on refunds that haven’t been issued.

Rule 5: stop spending (for now)

Though we’re already seeing many retailers launch their Black Friday offers, in most cases the lowest prices are going to happen on Black Friday itself. This means I try to avoid spending any cash in early and mid-November.

There are exceptions. As much of Black Friday is about clearance, it could be the stock goes before we even reach November 28. So if you’re worried about missing out completely (on something on your list, of course), then snapping it up now isn’t a bad move.

I’ve just got some reduced-to-clear slipper-socks from John Lewis that would definitely have been gone in
a week.

Rule 6: unsubscribe

Despite your best plans, you can still 
get waylaid by emails and adverts bombarding your inbox and feeds. These bring that temptation to stray from your list, which in turn means you spend more than planned.

If this is a concern, then unsubscribe from any email and unfollow any account that you don’t intend to 
shop with.

However, for brands you are planning to spend with, then an email is a good way to keep informed of offers or 
extra savings.

You can also set price alerts with PriceSpy, Idealo and others to find out when the item you’re after has hit your desired price.

Rule 7: find the lowest price

Once you’re ready to start shopping, don’t just assume the first price you see is going to be the best one. Compare against other retailers but remember to factor in extras such as delivery costs and guarantees. It could be worth paying a few quid more to get these. And you can take it a step further with price matching. John Lewis is the most famous shop to do this, but others include AO, Halfords and All Beauty.

You’re normally limited to making 
a claim in just seven days after purchase and they’ll usually only
match certain retailers but it can 
pay to go with one of these shops in 
the first place.

Alternatively, others such as Argos and Amazon will usually promise to refund the difference if they lower prices on things you’ve already bought before Black Friday.

Rule 8: stack savings

The discount from the retailer isn’t the only way to pay less. You can earn money back on your spending if you use a specialist card such as one from Trading 212 or American Express rather than your everyday debit or credit card.

Combine this with voucher codes or cashback sites to bring the price down even further. Look out too for short-term flash bonuses. These can run all year but there are always more on Black Friday weekend itself.

For example, last year I stacked Boots’ Black Friday offers with a £15 voucher from Vouchercodes for spending £50, and received a £20 bonus cashback from Quidco for spending £100 at Argos.

Rule 9: return

Once the frenzy is over, if you do find you’ve overspent, don’t despair. You can still send online purchases back for a refund as long as they’ve not been customised or are perishable.

What you do need to be careful of are return fees. Research for Be Clever With Your Cash found one in three shoppers did not check whether these were free before making a purchase, and as a result one in five lost money.

This is where shopping around and price-matching in advance can really pay off. If prices are the same, go with the retailer that will let you send things back for nothing.

You should be checking high-street stores too, as there’s no legal right to return anything, unless it’s faulty.

That means some will only give you 
a credit note, or could refuse any form of refund.

Rule 10: wait

Finally, remember that Black Friday isn’t the only sale before Christmas, let alone all year.

You will have other opportunities to buy the items on your list at low, if not lower, prices. So if you don’t actually need it right now and either your budget is too tight or the prices too high, just hold off for a bit.

Two items on my list are a parasol base and a hose – not typical 
winter purchases! I’m hoping the non-seasonality for them will help me get clearance items, but equally it could already be too late. If that’s the case, I’ll just get these next year.

Andy Webb is the founder and head of money site Be Clever With Your Cash, becleverwithyourcash.com

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You might think you know your body inside out, but fitness trackers can reveal things you’d never notice on your own.

From ECG heart readings and sleep cycles to stress levels and calories burned, a really good tracker can be a game-changer for your health and fitness. Leading the charge? WHOOP.

Already impressing the likes of LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo, WHOOP is changing the game with its screenless, super-sleek wearable design.

Perfect if you’re looking to streamline your fitness, upgrade your training or simply keep a close eye on your health, WHOOP gives you incredible insights on your wrist, performing far beyond standard trackers.

Even better, you can currently knock £40 off annual WHOOP Peak memberships and £60 off yearly WHOOP Life memberships for Black Friday, making this the perfect moment to level up your health.

WHOOP – Peak membership

WHOOP Peak is usually £229 per year (currently £189), and includes the 5.0 Device, Wireless PowerPack and SuperKnit Obsidian Band. Boasting 14 days of battery life, steps and activity monitoring, health age, stress and health monitoring and more, this membership has all your insights covered.

shop £189 (save £40)

This year, WHOOP launched two major upgrades: the WHOOP 5.0 and the WHOOP MG. These wearables go far beyond basic activity tracking and can even estimate your ‘WHOOP Age’ revealing how fast you’re aging on the inside.

Not always flattering, sure, but incredibly useful if you want to improve your long-term health.

Both of the new devices offer an impressive 14-day battery life and can even be worn while charging, so your data collection never takes a break.

Sleek and screenless, these clever trackers gather insights quietly in the background, free from annoying notifications, and deliver personalised breakdowns that genuinely feel tailored to you all through the app.

WHOOP offers three memberships to suit different goals and budgets. The most basic is ONE, starting at £169 per year and including personalised coaching and women’s hormonal insights.

PEAK is usually £229 per year (currently £189), and it estimates your health age and offers real-time stress insights. LIFE, usually £349 per year (currently £289), unlocks daily blood pressure estimates, irregular heart rhythm notifications and essentially medical-grade health and performance insights.

One of WHOOP’s most unique features is its versatility. You don’t have to wear it on your wrist, as the sensor can slip into WHOOP-enabled accessories like chest straps, and clothing such as boxers, bralettes, thongs and training shorts.

If you do want to wear on your wrist, the bands can be super luxurious, crafted from durable silicone to premium leather.

If you’ve been considering a fitness tracker, the glowing reviews for WHOOP speak for themselves. And with such a jammy discount, it seems like the perfect time to make that leap.

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‘This can’t be f**king real. Eight f**king pound ten for some toothpaste,’ a disgruntled mum shouted into her phone in the supermarket.

Next to it, you can find a standard sized 75ml tube of Colgate Max White Ultimate Whitening Toothpaste for £23.

For reference, that money could buy you four rump steaks from Waitrose, a 5.99kg whole turkey from Sainsbury’s, or a flight to Marrakech with £8 left to spend.

And Colgate isn’t the only brand with pricey paste. If you opt for Oral-B’s Pro Science Clinical Intensive Clean Toothpaste, it’ll set you back £10, as will Sensodyne’s Clinical Repair.

Shoppers are becoming increasingly incensed, taking to TikTok claiming the basic toiletry is being made a ‘luxury item’.

To rub salt in the wound, consumer watchdog Which? recently revealed the oral hygiene product was one of the biggest culprits for shrinkflation, with the price per 100ml rocketing by 105%.

For example, Aquafresh’s Complete Care Original Toothpaste climbed in price from £1.30 to £2, but the amount fell from 100ml to 75ml.

‘What is going on in the world today? £8 for toothpaste, this is flipping ridiculous. Something needs change man, that’s crazy work,’ ranted TikToker Petal.

‘I think they’re going to have to start doing disposable teeth so we don’t have to brush them,’ shared Lynn.

Another said: ‘What in the cost of living crisis is this? £6 for toothpaste – that’s blown my mind.’

Consumer champion Martin Newman can see why shoppers are disgruntled, telling Metro: ‘We’ve crossed a line when the cost of brushing your teeth feels like a privilege rather than a basic hygiene routine.

‘Should it cost £8 to brush your teeth? Absolutely not. That’s a symptom of a market that’s lost touch with the consumer reality many households face.’

Why is toothpaste so darn expensive?

Put simply, Martin explains prices have surged because of three main reasons: inflationary pressure, supply chain costs, and premiumisation.

‘The cost of ingredients, transport, packaging, and marketing has all gone up in the last two years, and big brands have passed much of that onto consumers,’ he says.

‘At the same time, brands have become very good at “premiumising the basics” — convincing us that we need whitening technology, enamel repair, or charcoal cleansing to get a better result. What used to be a £2 essential is now sold as a £6–£8 science-driven solution.’

Now, you could argue that Colgate’s £23 tube of whitening toothpaste must have extra special ingredients in that warrant that price tag, but dentist Dr Sulaman Anwar, Specialist Periodontist and Implant Surgeon of Serio Dental, disagrees.

‘They key additions are sodium polyphosphate, potassium citrate, and a blend of more refined hydrated silica polishing agents,’ Dr Anwar tells Metro.

For those without a dentistry degree, Dr Anwar explains that ‘polyphosphates are commonly used in whitening products because they help disrupt how stains attach to the tooth surface.

‘Potassium citrate is included as a desensitising agent for people who experience sensitivity.

‘The silica particles provide polishing, and in higher-priced toothpastes these particles tend to be more uniform and designed to remove stains more gently.’

It sounds pretty advanced, but Dr Anwar explains, while these ingredients elevate the formulation above basic budget toothpastes, they aren’t exclusive or unusual within the wider whitening category.

‘In my professional view these ingredients don’t justify the £23 price tag,’ he adds. ‘While the ingredients are effective in supporting stain removal, they are not significantly different from what you would find in many whitening toothpastes priced far lower.

‘The cost reflects branding, marketing, and the “at-home whitening” positioning, rather than a genuinely superior or advanced formula.’

But brushing our teeth sadly isn’t something that can be avoided (as much as we might wish we could) so brands can push up the price without losing too many sales.

It’s a tough pill to swallow when more than 7 million low-income families are going without essentials in 2025, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Not to mention financial hardship is likely to deepen as disposable incomes, after housing costs, are projected to fall by £690 by 2030.

They bank on our ‘consumer inertia’, which Martin explains is the assumption we won’t take the initiative and switch brands. But that trend can’t continue forever.

‘I think we’re nearing consumer pushback territory — people will start trading down to supermarket own-labels or discount brands, which often perform just as well for a fraction of the price,’ Martin adds.

At the end our two minute teeth brushing, Martin says it all comes down to this: ‘Value isn’t always about price — it’s about fairness.

‘Consumers are willing to pay for genuine innovation or sustainability, but not for marketing spin on basic needs.’

Metro has contacted Colgate for comment.

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